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Priory Warns of Effects Of Unemployment on Mental Health

 

September 16, 2009 by SallyPreston

 

With unemployment figures released today experts at the Priory Group are warning that one of the side effects of a higher number of jobless could be a surge in the number of people seeking treatment for depression.

Unemployment increased to 2.38 million in July and the figure this week is expected to be even higher and many commentators believe it will top 2.5 million.

The shock of redundancy, loss of income and the subsequent period of unemployment and financial insecurity can be very traumatic and cause anxiety and depression. Work plays an important role in many people’s lives. It provides money and a source of social support. Many people feel that their job defines them and their place in the world, so losing that job can feel like a loss of status and even a loss of identity. This can affect confidence and self-esteem.

Depression is a mental health condition that affects the way a person thinks, sleeps, eats and feels about him or herself. A stressful experience or upsetting event can leave a person feeling temporarily 'down,' but depression is a consistent low mood that lasts for several weeks or more and prevents a person from functioning to their full ability.

Dr Niall Campbell, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Priory has identified a number of symptoms to look out for that indicate a depressive episode.

• Things always seem hopeless.

• Loss of enjoyment and interest in life, even for activities that you normally enjoy.

• Crying much more than usual.

• Feelings of inappropriate guilt, worthlessness, or uselessness.

• Poor motivation. Even simple tasks seem difficult.

• Poor concentration. It may be difficult to read, work, etc.

• Sleeping problems.

• Lacking in energy and extreme feelings of tiredness.

• Difficulty with affection, including going off sex.

• Poor appetite and weight loss or the reverse with comfort eating.

• Irritability, agitation, or restlessness.

• Physical symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, chest pains.

• Recurrent thoughts of death.

Dr Campbell said: “Leaving work, for any reason, can be stressful. Recent research has shown that up to 1 in 7 men who become unemployed will develop a depressive illness in the next 6 months.

“Work and career are often the main source of worth and self-esteem. For men in particular, losing the outward signs of success, such as the company car or expense account and adjusting to being at home, looking after children and accepting that a wife or partner may become the main bread-winner can be very difficult.

“Depression is not something that can simply be changed overnight and is not a sign of any weakness on the part of the depressed person. Depression can be a disabling and potentially serious condition but it can be treated through medication and therapy. Psychological treatments for depression are many and varied. They range from the emotional support provided by the regular opportunity to talk about feelings to a professional, right through to specialised forms of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

“The good news is that depression is a treatable condition. At a time when depression is striking more and more people it is important that the medical profession acts quickly to identify and treat the illness, allowing the sufferer to regain the positivity in their lives and tackle the issues, such as unemployment which caused the problems initially.”